Family Bonding Through Volunteering: Giving Back in Canberra this Christmas

Let’s be honest - times are tough at the moment. And for those most vulnerable in our community, the Christmas season can be one of the hardest times of the year. Sometimes, an act of kindness, big or small, can mean the world to someone else.

Whether that’s through volunteering, donating, or simply reaching out to someone in need, it is important to think of others in the holiday season. The importance of giving to others is such a vital skill to teach our children. We’ve compiled a number of different ways that you can help others this Christmas, and get the kids involved in the process. From Christmas baskets, dignity bags for women and girls in need, becoming a guardian angel for a shelter animal, or helping those affected by cancer, there is a charity for all families to get involved with in Canberra this Christmas. 

Communities at Work

Make Christmas special for vulnerable people and Canberrans in need this year by donating to the Communities at Work Christmas Appeal. Donate food, gifts or toys for both adults and children – or even money – to help people in need by sending your donations directly to Communities at Work. They are often in need of food and gifts for teenagers and adults. You can also donate to the Communities at Work food pantries. Their community pantries at Tuggeranong and Gungahlin support people who are going through tough times and need food and personal care items.

Find all of the details on how to support Communities at Work here. 

Mix106.3's Pack The Bus

Leading into Christmas, Mix 106.3 is getting back on the bus and driving around the region, making stops to Pack the Bus full of essential non-perishable food items and toys for kids and families in need, because everyone deserves a Christmas. The Mix 106.3 bus will visit registered workplaces, retail outlets and schools every weekday between 9am and 3pm over a 3-week period in December, where people can leave food and unwrapped toy items on the bus.

Visit their website for all of the drop-off points throughout December. 

Basket Brigade Canberra

Basket Brigade is on a mission to deliver 350 baskets this year, can you help? The Canberra Basket Brigade is a small and dedicated group of volunteers who assist locals in need. This year they will be packing and delivering baskets of food and other goods to families in need. These deliveries are made anonymously and arrive just in time for Christmas. 

This year, they are packing food hampers at Miles Franklin Primary School in Evatt. Children are most welcome to come along and join in the preparation of the hampers. They are also looking for volunteers to deliver hampers after the packing is done. It's a great experience delivering them as some wonderful magic moments can occur. 

For more information, visit their website and Facebook event page. 

Share the Dignity - It’s in the Bag

Share the Dignity is a women's charity in Australia that works to make a real difference in the lives of those experiencing homelessness, fleeing domestic violence, or doing it tough. They distribute period products to women, girls, and anyone who menstruates who needs support. 

The Share the Dignity ‘It’s in the Bag’ campaign aims to collect 85,000 donation bags for 85,000 vulnerable women and girls so that they receive a gift of love and hope this Christmas. The ‘It’s in the Bag’ donation points around the country are now closed, however you can still post items or donate money online, so that bags can be purchased and supplied to women in need. 

Find all of the details here. 

RSPCA Guardian Angel

Thousands of unwanted and neglected animals come through the doors of the RSPCA, and Christmas is one of the busiest times of the year for unwanted pets. Become a Guardian Angel and your compassion will help provide urgent protection to animals in need this Christmas. You will give nurturing love, shelter and a fresh start to prepare them for the next stage of life. Stay updated with pictures and information on the animals that you support.

Find more information on how to donate here. 

Canberra Hospital Foundation

Each year, The Canberra Hospital Foundation is grateful to receive a multitude of in-kind gifts including boredom busters like books, puzzles and games and handcrafted comfort items which support their patients; offering distraction, comfort, a splash of colour in their room, as well as a special reminder that someone in the community is thinking of them. Christmas is a time where receiving gifts is especially important, particularly for those vulnerable members of the community who need support from the CHF. 

For more information on donations, visit their website. 

The Salvation Army 100'$ for Thousands

100’$ for Thousands is a Christmas fundraiser aimed at helping families in need across Canberra, Queanbeyan, Yass, Cooma and Goulburn. With your help, their goal is to provide 1000 families with $100 support over the festive season. There are 10 Salvation Army centres involved in the fundraiser, each with a goal of $10,000. You have the freedom to choose which centre to support so donate today and give where you live!

Find more information and donate here. 

Marymead

Marymead CatholicCare Canberra & Goulburn, a well-respected, not-for-profit organisation servicing the ACT and southern and western regional areas of NSW, has been delivering a range of high quality, individual and family support services (children, young people and their families) for over 60 years. This holiday season, you can support Marymead in two ways. 

The Foster Care Christmas Raffle is a wonderful opportunity to win exciting prizes while supporting a meaningful cause. Every ticket you purchase helps fund the initiatives and programs at Marymead CatholicCare, specifically benefiting our Foster Care Program. Raffle drawn on the 20th of December. Find more details here. 

Support the Giving Tree Appeal by purchasing a new, unwrapped gift, a gift card/voucher, or donating online directly by visiting this page. 

Woolworths & OzHarvest

For a decade, the Woolworths and OzHarvest partnership has touched countless lives, delivering the equivalent of 50,000 meals every day to Australians in need. As they mark their 10th Christmas Appeal, they invite you to be part of this incredible story to ensure no one goes hungry this holiday season.  Every 50c donated enables OzHarvest to distribute a meal to someone in need, across their national network of over 1,800 charitable organisations. Next time you do your online grocery shop, add a donation to OzHarvest to your basket to help those in need. 100% of funds raised go direct to OzHarvest and all donations over $2.00 are tax deductible. 

Find more information here. 

Rise Above @ The Handmade Markets Canberra

Rise Above – Capital Region Cancer Relief is an organisation that shines as a beacon of hope for individuals and families facing the daunting challenges associated with a cancer diagnosis, including the financial and emotional burdens. 

This year, Rise Above are honored to be 'Door Greeters' again for the 2024 Handmade Markets in Canberra. You will find their fabulous volunteers on each door greeting attendees and collecting gold (or any) coin donations. Head along, grab your Christmas presents at the markets, and make a donation to a meaningful organisation that truly makes a difference. 

Find more information here. 

Roundabout Canberra

Roundabout Canberra believes that every child deserves a safe start and every family deserves dignity, and they provide safe, high quality, essential baby and children’s items to families in need. Roundabout Canberra is a volunteer powered charity and they’re always on the lookout for additional helpers to ensure they can continue to help families in need, especially in the holiday season. They run a number of weekly volunteer sessions on both weekdays and weekends. There’s no regular commitment required (they understand that life is hectic!). Supervised children are also very welcome to come along. 

Find more information on volunteering with Roundabout Canberra here. 

Vinnies Christmas Appeal

Christmas can be a challenging time for many. But for people struggling just to get by each day, sharing the joy of Christmas can be impossible. This Christmas, your urgent gift can help give people the break they need with practical assistance to get through this ongoing crisis and connect to ongoing, wrap-around support to get back on their feet. Donate to the Vinnies Christmas Appeal and provide food for people going hungry, practical financial assistance, and help others make connections to bright futures. 

Find more details on donating here. 

Do you know of any other worthwhile charities that can use support this Christmas? Let us know in the comments!